Help Me Get My Math Back?

nwm writes "I am trying to refresh my math skills back to the point that I can take college-level statistics and calculus courses. I took everything through AP calculus in high school, had my butt kicked by college calculus, and dropped out shortly thereafter. Twenty+ years later, I need to take a few math courses to wrap up a degree. I've dug around some and found a few sites with useful information, but I'm hoping the Slashdot crowd can offer some good resources — sites, books, programs, online tutors, etc. I really don't want to have to take a series of algebra-geometry-trig 'pre-college' level courses (each at full cost and each a semester long) just to warm my brain up; I'd much rather find some resources, review, cram, and take the placement test with some confidence. Any suggestions?"

Comments

If you can't handle calculus, science isnt for you

[elucido]

They want you to pass calculus for a reason. No matter what kind of scientist you plan to be, your knowledge of calculus will be essential. You'll never use statistics but you will need to use calculus every day.

Always without a calculator.

[elucido]

It's essential that he pass calculus I, III, III and Diff EQ without the use of a calculator.
Just in case we are bombed back into the stoneage, he wont have to worry about losing his job as a scientist.

Re:Always without a calculator.

[blackraven14250]

If we're bombed back into the stone age, derivatives and integrals aren't going to help him tie a sharpened stone to a stick.

Re:Always without a calculator.

[zach_the_lizard]

That's why he should study topology. He'll learn about all kinds of knots there.

Re:Always without a calculator.

[Anonymous Coward]

...Even if we forget how to smelt iron ore, there would be billions of tons of refined iron lying around in abandoned machinery, buildings, and such.

Not if they've come for our metals and women.

Re:If you can't handle calculus, science isnt for

[Anonymous Coward]

You must be a scientist, because apparently you have no sense of humor.

Re:If you can't handle calculus, science isnt for

[Anonymous Cowar]

And what field might that be in? Not all fields will have much use for calculus in the real world, but I am still curious.

Ah biology, the humanities of the science world...

Re:If you can't handle calculus, science isnt for

[Gorobei]

I compute derivatives every day. That's why my compute farm draws a couple of megawatts when I want a number.

Glad to hear people are still doing it by hand. Arts and crafts should been encouraged, even in the modern age.

Re:If you can't handle calculus, science isnt for

[rcrodgers]

Many scientists misuse stats.

57.5% of all scientists would agree with you. 40.5% wouldn't comment. 3% of all readers will realize these stats are made up without being told... ;-)

Re:If you can't handle calculus, science isnt for

[WCguru42]

Hell, statistics should be a mandatory class taught in High School. It's far more applicable to everyday life than trig is.

But then how is little jimmy gonna know how tall the statue is on top of the building from 100 yards away.

Re:If you can't handle calculus, science isnt for

[Hognoxious]

I am a CS scientist

Me too. I studied at the University of Manchester University.